A Word from Pastor Nathan

Dear Friends:

Sunday promises many highlights in the life of our church: Pentecost (the day the Holy Spirit sets the Church on fire); the baptism of Evan Standen (10:45 a.m.); a visit by the Rev. Eugene James (Discovery Hour and 10:45 a.m. worship service); and, the new member recognition and all -church luncheon immediately following the late worship service.

Speaking of baptism, it is one of the most important sacraments in which we participate. In 1987, the Disciples Council on Christian Unity published Baptism: Embodiment of the Gospel: Disciples Baptismal Theology, which Clark M. Williamson, a professor of theology at Christian Theological Seminary, wrote. Williamson says,

Believers’ baptism by immersion is the most appropriate and therefore the normative form of Christian baptism. This is the practice which best symbolizes what it means to say ‘yes’ to the grace of God. It need not be argued, however, that it is the only exclusive form of Christian baptism. But it is that form which makes it clear that the gospel comes to each and all of us as a promise and as a challenge, a promise and challenge that call for a decision from us. We must decide whether to engage in radical love of the neighbor. So to decide is, by God’s grace, to be radically transformed, born anew.

Williamson ’s description points to our ecumenical heritage. As Disciples, we honor one ’s baptism and make no argument of method. We also affirm baptism as an unrepeatable act. To put this sacrament in contemporary language, we are “signed, sealed, delivered” once and for all through baptism.

Though the sacrament itself is not repeatable, we must continually decide “whether to engage in radical love of neighbor.” Neighbors change. Some people move out; new persons move into the apartment complex and subdivision. The promise and challenge of baptism remain open for us. How will we greet our increasingly diverse and plural world with radical love? Will we practice solidarity and allyship or withdraw in fear?

We say ‘yes’ to God, to Christ ’s universal Church, and to our neighbors near and far through the sacrament of baptism. As we witness the baptism of Evan Standen on Sunday, let us rise to reaffirm our covenant and say with full and faithful hearts, “Yes!”

Peace abundant,

Nathan